Combination instrument for sealing envelops and for affixing stamps and labels.



No. 666,502. Patented Ian. 22, I90l.

H. R. FAY.

COMBINATION INSTRUMENT FOR SEALING ENVELUPS AND FOR AFFIXING STAMPS AND LABELS.

(Appliation filed Nov. 11, 189 9.)

(No Model.)

Z/Z/z' 12325712171 HENRY R. FAY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINATION INSTRUMENT FOR SEALING ENVELOPS AND FOR AFFIXINGSTAMPS AND LABELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,502, dated January 22, 1901.

Application filed November 11,1899. Serial No. 736.654. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY R. FAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented anew and useful Oombination Instrument for Sealing Envelops and for Affixing Stamps and Labels, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The prime object of my present invention is to provide a practical efficient article of manufacture or combination hand instrument for the purposes named having embodied therein novel facilities and features of improvement specifically explained in the following detailed description and to render the said article or instrument more convenient and serviceable in its manipulative application for which it is designed.

Another object is to provide said instrument with metallic or non-flexible grip devices for compression of the elastic air-bulb, also to afford facilities for retaining the same in proper relation thereon.

Another object is to render the moisturereservoir convenient'for replenishing and to confine therein the exuding-pad or moistening-felt by a non-elastic locking-band or sustaining-clasp.

I attain these objects by an article or instrument embracing the means and'peculiar structure illustrated in the drawings, the particular improvements or subject-matter claimed being definitely set forth in the summary.

Figure 1 represents a side View; Fig. 2, a vertical central section at line X X on Fig. 5; Fig. 3, the bottom of the presser-foot with its air-duct; Fig. 4, the bottom of the canceling devices; Fig. 5, a side view facing the moistener-pad; Fig. 6, a top view of the metal collar separate from other parts; Fig. 7, a sectional view of the same, and Fig. 8 a bottom view of the thumb-seat plate separated from the bulb.

Referring to the drawings,A denotes the hollow compressible elastic globe or bulb, having a leg or projecting neck a with an air-duct a therethrough and terminating with a presserfoot or pick-up pad at, having a fiat suctionface, said bulb also having thereon a second or reservoir bulb and all formed of vulcanized rubber in one piece and of a size convenlent to be held in the hand between the thumb and fingers when in use. In general structure and purpose for effecting pneumatic action said bulb is substantially as heretofore employed and well known, but in my present invention is changed in some respects for combining other parts therewith, as will be hereinafter further explained.

B denotes a cup-shaped annulus or collar, of thin metal or suitable non-flexible material, fitted to the under portion of the bulb and retained thereon by an integral annular bead b, formed on the neck a over which the lower edge of the collar is passed and against which it engages. Said collar is held from rotative displacement by a boss I), that engages a notch c in the edge. The collar is provided with finger-grip lips F F at its sides for insuringa sure grip of the fingers thereon, and at one side a wing or plate portion D is bent upward therefrom, forming, adjacent to the side of the globular bulb A, a fiat or approximately fiat tablet adapted for smoothing purposes in the laying down of an envelop-seal or smoothing down any pasted stamp or label fabric.

Upon the top of the compressible bulb A, I arrange a metallic or non-flexible thu mb-seat plate I, attached to the bulb by a button-stud t, that engages in a recess J, formed in the elastic material of the bulb, which by contracting about the neck of the stud retains said thumb-seat plate in attachment therewith. The instrument is conveniently held and manipulated by placing the thumb on the plate I and the fingers beneath the fingergrip lips F and F of the collar B, said collar, lips, and thumb-seat plate insuring a secure hold thereon and obviating liability of the bulb escaping from the hand while undergoing compression and resilient expansion.

A indicates a reservoir or bulb for containing water or other liquid integrally attached to the main or air bulb A, but internally having no communication therewith. Said reservoir, which is preferably in lateral relation to the main bulb or axially perpendicular with the axis of the neck, is provided in its month with a block of felt M or similar porous material through which moisture can moderately exude. This block or pad is firmly confined in the elastic mouth of the reservoir by a non-elastic locking-band or metal clasp H, secured around the edge of the opening and the exuding-pad of felt M, as shown. Said band supports the pad in proper relation for use and also prevents the liquid from escaping around the edges '21 of the porous substance when pressure is applied to the reservoir. The reservoir A has an auxiliary bulb or extension P formed thereon, the purposes of which are to assist in filling the reservoir by suction, for containing a greater quantity of water, and for aifording air-cushion elasticity to the working of the moistening devices.

In the operation air is forced from the bulb by compression thereof. The face is then pressed upon the stamp and the bulb allowed to expand, whereby the stamp is picked up by atmospheric pressure and then transferred and aflixed to the position desired, which position has been previously moistened by passing the'pad M over its surface. The bulb being then pressed releases the stamp or label, which adheres to the moist surface. I

For filling the reservoir with water the extension or bulb P is pinched together, the pad M immersed in the basin of liquid, and the said bulb then permitted to expand, sucking the water through the pad into the reservoir A. For moistening the water exudes through the felt M, the face of which is applied to the surface to be moistened, the air within the bulb P serving as a cushion to regulate a moderate exudation when used.

The principle of action in picking up a stamp or label by atmospheric pressure being well known, it will be understood that I do not claim such feature broadly as of my invention; but my present invention has reference to the improved structure as defined.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with the compressible elastic bulb having the projecting neck and pick-up pad, of a non-flexible collar embracing the under part of said bulb, and provided with finger-grip lips, and a non-flexible thumb-seat plate attached to the top of said elastic bulb, for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination in an instru ment of the character described, of the hollow compressible elastic bulb having its tubular neck provided with the surrounding projecting bead b, and the annular non-flexible metallic collar fitting the lower part of said bulb and neck above said bead, and provided with projecting finger-grip lips, for the purpose set forth.

3. An instrument of the character described, comprisinga hollow elastic bulb having the tubular neck, and a reservoir with a pad-holding month all composed of vulcanized rubber in one piece, and a metallic or non-flexible cup-shaped collar fitting said bulb about the neck, said collar provided at its edge with finger-grip lips, and a projecting portion of said collar turned upward at the side of the bulb, for the purpose set forth.

4. In an instrument of the character described,the combination with the elastic pneumatic hand-bulb, comprising the globular body, the tubular neck and foot-pad; of a metallic com pressing-collar fitting around the neck and beneath said bulb, the top edge of said collarbeing provided with projecting portions disposed and adapted as working tools or forms thereon, substantially as shown and described.

5. Astamp orlabel afiixinginstrnment,provided with a liquid-containing reservoir upon and integral with the side of the main body portion, and having a moistening-pad in the mouth thereof; said reservoir provided with a liquid-containing space behind the pad, and having an elastic bulb extension, as P, formed integral upon and internally communicating with said reservoir, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witness my hand this 9th day of November, 1899.

HENRY R. FAY.

In presence of.

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, ELLA P. BLENUS. 

